When the Panthers released CJ Anderson on Monday, it looked as if they had a replacement in mind by adding veteran journeyman Travaris Cadet, who shared a similar skillset to bellcow Christian McCaffrey – turns out they had someone else in mind as they have brought back running back Kenjon Barner, who will be making his third stint in a Carolina Panthers uniform after spending the 2018 preseason with the team before being released on cutdown day.
Barner played five games with the New England Patriots this season, totaling 71 rushing yards on 19 carries before being released on Tuesday – Barner was originally drafted by the Panthers in 2013 and played in eight games his rookie season; he also won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017, being named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 5.
The 29-year old Barner, who was a sixth-round pick by the Panthers before being traded to the Eagles a year later, has played in 44 games and totaled 317 yards on the ground over 71 carries. He’s also contributed on special teams, returning 52 punts and kickoffs over his career.
Barner played in eight regular season games and one postseason game for Carolina in 2013, rushing six times for seven yards. Drafted from Oregon, the 5’9, 196 pound Barner finished his college career ranked second in Oregon history with 3,623 rushing yards and tied for second with 41 rushing touchdowns.
The corresponding roster move was to release cornerback Josh Hawkins, who was active for five games this season and played mostly special teams – Ron Rivera called him as close to a special teams ace as there is; one would assume he will be added to the practice squad if he were to clear waivers.
Barner will join the team immediately and would be eligible to play Sunday as the Panthers head to Detroit to take on the Lions at Ford Field.
